How Water Heals

Discover how connecting with water through all five senses can support well-being.

A growing body of research shows that connecting with water through things like sight and sound and touch can have a positive impact on how we feel, how we think, and even the state of our bodies. This week, we activate all five senses through connecting with water in hopes of applying that research into reality. We hear from an environmental psychologist about the many proven benefits of spending time by water, as well as an indigenous scholar about the view of water not just as vital resources, but as kin that need protecting.

Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mt4sfdbh

This episode is supported by Tianren Culture, whose vision is “One Wisdom, One Health.” Tianren Culture is a next-generation social platform that acts as a catalyst to foster positive global values and lifestyles.

Practice:
This practice is all about connecting your five senses: taste, sight, sound, touch, and smell– all through water. Here are five steps that could help improve your daily routine. 

1. Taste: Create a daily ritual of mindfully drinking water. 
2. Sight: Recenter yourself by seeing bodies of water in person, virtually, or even in your mind's eye.
3. Sound: Listen to the sound of rain, the sounds of waves crashing to reduce stress, or the faucet dripping.
4. Touch: This could be swimming, showers, even placing your hands in water
5. Smell: Take in the different smells of water bodies in nature.

Today’s guests:

TARANEH ARHAMSADR Based out of Oakland, Taraneh is a mother of two who’s worked in nonprofit communication for over 20 years, all the while being a part time blogger. A little under four years ago, she also co-founded Piper + Enza, a media venture dedicated to empowering families on their health journeys through storytelling. 

Read more on Taraneh: https://piperandenza.com/our-team/
Read some of Taraneh’s work: https://www.mother.ly/author/taraneh-arhamsadr/

DR. MATHEW WHITE is a social psychologist researching the relationships between natural environments, physical health, and psychological health. White has worked at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health for nearly 10 years, and is currently continuing his research at the University of Vienna. 

Read more on Mathew: https://env-psy.univie.ac.at/about-us/mat-white/
Read more on his research efforts: https://www.ecehh.org/person/dr-mathew-white/

 DR. YURIA CELIDWEN is an indigenous scholar of contemplative studies, and author of the new book, Flourishing Kin: Indigenous Foundations For Collective Well-Being.
Read more on Yuria: https://www.yuriacelidwen.com/#about

Science of Happiness Episodes like this one:
The Healing Effects of Experiencing Wildlife: https://tinyurl.com/49pkk6eu
How to Do Good for the Environment (And Yourself): https://tinyurl.com/5b26zwkx